Noah Kjar caught a 70-yard pass against Colorado, setting up his own six-yard touchdown reception. Robert Young caught six passes for 66 yards and a touchdown as Colorado tilted coverage toward Kjar. Giving Kjar extra attention still left the Buffs responsible for covering Young. Colorado allowed three touchdown passes in its 52-21 win over Weber State despite producing three sacks and an interception.
Weber State coach Eric Kjar described how Colorado shifted toward four-down fronts, varied its pressure and changed the bracket coverage on Noah, making protection harder. Chris Marve, promoted to defensive coordinator after Rob Livingston left for the Denver Broncos, has shown he can adjust during a game. Now the Buffs need those adjustments to produce fewer open receivers.
There is a specific personnel move to follow Saturday at Northwestern. Deion Sanders announced that Boo Carter will play both corner and slot. Watch how Colorado handles coverage responsibilities as Carter moves between those roles, especially when the defense sends extra attention toward one receiver.
Kickoff is 5:30 p.m. Mountain on September 19, on FOX. Colorado has a 22% chance to win in the interactive guide, using the Fan Watch methodology. An upset is worth getting excited about; it would be a substantial step beyond the expected result. No outside game carries enough benefit for Colorado to warrant a rooting recommendation this week.
Northwestern hired Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator in December, and Aidan Chiles supplied an immediate passing threat with 273 yards on 14 completions in the Wildcats' 34-18 opening win over South Dakota State. Chiles averaged nearly 20 yards per completion in that opener. Colorado needs to make him sustain drives with shorter gains instead of allowing another 70-yard catch.
Colorado's preseason Go-Go installation emphasized tempo, backfield spacing and north-to-south blocking to build a reliable rushing threat around Julian Lewis. Against Weber State, Micah Welch rushed for 106 yards, while Joseph Williams and DeAndre Moore Jr. each topped 100 receiving yards. If Welch can keep gaining ground at Northwestern, the Buffs can make defenses account for the run alongside those receiving threats, easing the burden on their young quarterback. Lewis completed 17 of 23 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns without an interception against Weber State; now he and the rebuilt offensive line have to sustain that production on the road.
The Buffs also need to preserve those opportunities. Carter lost a muffed punt against Weber State, and Colorado committed 13 penalties for 107 yards. A repeat would make an already difficult road upset harder by surrendering possession and yards the offense has to replace.
At Northwestern, watch the defender responsible for the next option when Marve doubles a target. Colorado needs to take away the leading threat without handing Chiles an easier throw somewhere else.